Album Review: Morgan Cameron Ross Explores New Sonic Territories With New EP “College & Bathurst”

By: Laura Stanley –

With his second solo release, College & Bathurst, Birds of Wales frontman Morgan Cameron Ross continues to cultivate his unique blend of heart-sinking songs and unadulterated optimism which he explored with 2011’s Morgan Cameron Ross. With a distinct nasally voice, Ross’ knack for catchy and melodious songwriting is undeniable but it’s the way he’s able to make a wide range of genres blend throughout the five songs that makes for an impressive, though ballad heavy, EP.

Produced and co-written by Pilate/Pilot Speed singer, Todd Clark, the Toronto-filled opener “Let’s Start All Over Again,” includes shout-outs to the music venue Sneaky Dee’s and Bathurst Street and it does well to embrace the talents of Ross as a songwriter. In a very listener friendly song, Ross’ instrumentation is a more folk-pop affair, which is surprisingly not what the release is all about, but the more heavy-hearted feeling of “Let’s Start All Over Again” which echoes throughout the EP.

The track “We Got It Good” provides a stark departure from Ross’ previous work due to it being rooted in a light synth beat which makes for a sweet sounding number. It’s this departure from Ross’ typical sound that successfully continues into the next song, “Cannot Break A Broken Heart.”

The most adventurous of the five songs, “Cannot Break A Broken Heart” begins on an almost country feel until, again, a light synth backing beat takes the song to a different place. While the catchy chorus makes the song appealing, it’s the rap inclusion from Ross’ song collaborator, Toronto band Nixon (formerly Tiny Danza) that enables it to really standout.

Though the EP has a warm DIY feel, the sincerity captured on College & Bathurst’s closer “Our Love,” specifically shines through. In a live recording of the song, “Our Love” is a fun, upbeat folk romp and again includes a tinge of country music, which, as mentioned, listeners get a hint of at the beginning of “Cannot Break A Broken Heart” but is also throughout Morgan Cameron Ross. If Ross hasn’t charmed you in the four previous songs, he will with the line, “your touch, it’s like the finest wine. It gets better with time.”

With a an effective mixture of musical genres, Morgan Cameron Ross’ impressive College & Bathurst explores the many influences from an obviously talented songwriter.

College & Bathurst will be released on December 12th via Morgan Cameron Ross’ official website.

Essential tracks: “Let’s Start All Over Again,” and  “Our Love.”